Friday, January 25, 2013

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 86)

-1-

My Respect Life Work: I observed the 40th anniversary of the March for Life
doing what has for many years been part of my life's work and ministry: I
devoted my day to taking care of three precious little ones who required just
about all of the energy, patience, singing, dancing, answering of endless questions,
and good humor I had left by the end of this week. I prayed for the hundreds of
thousands who went to DC to take part in the March as well as for all single
moms, worn out parents, and tired caregivers.

-2-

Want to know?
You gotta go! Something that is an absolute must if you’d really
like to see what the pro-life movement looks like is go to the March for Life. There isn’t another way to
have it really sink in how many people of varying ages, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic
statuses, religious affiliations, political parties, vocations, consecrated
religious, national and international respect life ministers, teens, college
kids, seminarians, and everyday people take part in the March for Life. Watching it on TV is not the same as
experiencing the synergy and prayer power of so many people gathered together
to stand up for the unborn, the post-abortive seeking healing, the adopted...all those who have no voice. This year is the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade, and there was a record turn-out at the March. Click here to read about it and see pics.

-3-

There are many ways to Choose Life: Encourage a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy to
have her baby, support couples facing the many challenges of raising children these days
by offering to babysit or bring them a meal, tell a woman who’s had an abortion
about the healing that can come from a retreat such as Rachel’s Vineyard, visit
an elderly family member who’s health is failing, learn about how to help
families with foster children, take basic CPR and First Aid so you're prepared to help in an emergency, volunteer at a nursing home, get involved with a
40 Days for Life campaign in your area, know the free pregnancy resources near you, learn about Natural Family Planning and use it instead of
contraception, do something to strengthen your relationship with God, take time to love and enjoy your spouse and your own family…

-4-

Pants Are Optional I have adopted my mom’s philosophy for young
children: let them be comfortable and easy to clean up. Fortunately, the family for whom I nanny is
of the same mindset when it comes to clothing.
On a normal day, the twins go from their pajamas into a Onesie (which, for those of you who don’t know, is basically a baby bodysuit). A diaper and Onesie are pretty much what they
wear every day unless we go for a walk or go out somewhere and more layers are
needed. Vivi often hangs out in her
nightgown or a T-shirt and a pair of Pull-ups.
If you come to hang out with us and are under the age of 5 years old, pants
are optional upon entry. That’s not to
say that there aren’t some days when you’ll come in and see babies in pants,
it’s just to say that comfort, warmth, and being able to move, roll, bounce
dance, fling food, get stinky, get messy, etc. are most important.

-5-

C’est ma vie! Since
Vivi has a tendency to ask me what I'm doing numerous times a day when she
knows perfectly well what I'm doing because I've just told her or it's
something quite obvious like I'm feeding one of your sisters a bottle or
changing another dirty diaper, I've started answering her in French. Also when
she repeats the same thing over and over like every toddler enjoys doing, I say
the French word for it and she usually repeats after me. C'est magnifique!

-6-

It’s
your turn! Nobody likes to be told what to do, but
everyone likes to get a turn to do something.
With this in mind, I have gotten into the habit of opening the bathroom
door, turning the light on, and telling Vivi in a nonchalant, noncommittal voice:
“It’s your turn!” so she’ll go use the potty.
I much prefer this (and think she must also, judging by her usual
response). It’s more pleasant than
asking her if she wants to use the potty or coming up with some other way to
coerce her creatively and cheerfully to go sit on the toilet. Hey, it’s what’s we’ve had the best results
with so far this month.

-7-

Different Gifts We
all have a variety of God-given talents to share. Kevin and I are very grateful to have so many
wonderful people in our lives who have such a vast array of strengths,
passions, and interests. Many times this
week, we found ourselves marveling at what people do, how they do it, and for
what greater good. There’s a whole lot
of love and beauty in the world. When
you take time to appreciate it, you find yourself seeing more of it all the
time.

Welcome to my blog!

I'm a prayer warrior, wife, writer, blogger, poet, author, journalist, photographer, teacher, nanny, speaker, and voracious reader/book reviewer. I'm known in certain circles as "spiritual diva:" a woman who strives to put God and His will before everyone and everything else in life.